One of the biggest talking points in Liiga to start the season,
Lenni Hämeenaho's rapid rise into one of the top goalscorers in the entire league has been a sight to behold. Ässät's top scorer with nine goals and 14 points in 18 games, Hämeenaho carried his team offensively in the first 10 games of the season more than any draft-plus-one skater has done in recent memory.
Hämeenaho's ability to process the game and create offence through his hockey sense has never been in question. He continues to identify every crack in the opponent's armour, masterfully finding quiet ice in the offensive zone and popping into the slot just at the right time. He's also showing more touch as a playmaker and continues to make a solid defensive impact through smart positioning and stick usage.
Hämeenaho's skating is still a big hurdle he needs to overcome as a potential NHL forward. His stride mechanics haven't improved much from last year; the lack of separation between his upper and lower body, limited ankle flexion and hunched-over posture are all limiting factors. Still, it's hard not to be excited about how quickly he has turned into a legitimate top-line Liiga forward.
